Abhiroop Das
Season 3 of CTV’s ‘Sullivan’s Crossing‘ follows the aftermath of a brutal fire at Shandon’s Diner in the season 2 finale, and how it has a unique after-effect on all the characters. While Sully makes it out alive, the incident leaves him scarred and unable to maximize his second chance at life. Additionally, Maggie decides to settle down in the Crossing, and the nature of the campground begins to change. With Glenn Perry in the fray, too, Sully begins to feel suffocated. In these trying times, he meets Helen Culver, a novelist, and soon their lives begin to change. Their conversations are filled with nuances, revealing tiny details about their lives and desires, and how they clash with each other. Sully’s existence is defined by fear when it comes to himself, and to figure this out is merely the first step towards his new, improved life. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Sully and Helen Find New Beginnings in Ireland
At the end of season three, Sully and Helen decide to go on a long trip to Ireland, marking that as the beginning of their new relationship. In the buildup to this, Helen admits that she has not been able to get him out of her mind, which is a sentiment Sully agrees with. The two characters form a special bond over the course of the story, and it finally gets a chance to shine through in this climactic exchange. Initially, Helen asks Sully to come with her, but he points out how his whole life is centered around Sullivan’s Crossing. While that is true, it is evident that there are bigger, deeper reasons that hold him back from making this decision, and Helen is quick to notice. She tries to convince him once again, explaining how he has to make a leap of faith at some point if he wants his life to improve, and this becomes a large constituent of his ultimate decision.
Sully and Helen have an undeniable chemistry from the moment of their first interaction. The dynamic that follows takes on a symbolic role, capturing the “hows” and “whys” of Sully’s choice in the end. To begin with, he messes up Helen’s booking because he does not understand the new online management system. Although brief, this sows the seeds for the point where Sully is no longer able to keep up with the Modern demands of the Crossing, as opposed to the next generation of caretakers, such as his own daughter. Furthermore, Helen gives him a list of things that need fixing, and while the objects themselves are all physical in nature, it also stands true for Sully’s inner self. He has gone through a series of trials and tribulations and needs a way to heal and flourish. Sully’s bond with Helen serves as the key to his self-improvement.
Helen’s trip to Ireland stands out as the perfect opportunity for Frank to let go of his frustrations and hold-backs. However, that is not the only reason for his boldness. Earlier in the show, he also reveals that he feels deeply about her in a way he hasn’t felt in a while, seemingly confirming his romantic feelings. This gets strengthened with the lengths he goes to spend time with her, from comic scenes such as struggling to do Yoga, to the more complicated situations, such as in the vicinity of alcohol. All of these points hint at his desire to be with her, which finds its culmination in her long-awaited trip. Sully tells Maggie that this trip, as well as his relationship with Helen, function as a fresh start to his life, one lived by his own conditions and for his own satisfaction. Helen’s reciprocal affection helps him shed the fear that has been suffocating him for so long, thus elevating their dynamic.
Scott Patterson is Likely to Reprise His Role as Sully
While Sully might be going away for a trip to Ireland, there is still a strong likelihood of actor Scott Patterson continuing his role as the character in season 4 of ‘Sullivan’s Crossing.’ To begin with, the season ends on a cliffhanger about Maggie, making it almost certain that the next season will continue the storyline from that point. This means that Sully still has some time before leaving, and his reaction to the new developments is bound to be of great significance. Furthermore, Sully is indispensable to the Crossing, and his guidance is needed for the Cranebears and Maggie to run the business on their own successfully. As such, it is possible that he will continue to appear as at least a minor presence, informing the protagonist’s decisions while also fleshing out the larger narrative.
Sully’s dynamic with Helen has also just had a proper beginning. As such, it is probable that the couple will return in season 4 as an important part of the story. There are several aspects to his character that he needs to confront, and that cannot happen away from the main screen. Thus, while there has been no confirmation about his reprisal at the time of writing this article, it is very likely that Patterson will find his place in the cast once again. Notably, the actor’s real-life personal experiences also align with the character’s, as he stated in an interview with Primetimer: “Yeah. I went to Europe for a year-and-a-half and just got lost, to escape and to heal.” This experience can be the key to bringing Sully’s new chapter in life, grounding him in the present while showing his growth over the years at the same time.
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